Alternative THON 2014 Playlist

Bands play songs everyone can sing along to. The PA system pumps through top-40 hits at a rate unmatched by anything since MTV in the late-80s. There’s logic behind all of this, of course. THON is an interactive experience, and having everyone work together, whether it be a line dance or singalong, is key in keeping up the dancers’ spirits and letting them know the crowd is with them. Playing songs everyone knows is a great strategy.

With that being said, some of us would prefer a curveball thrown every now and then. Singing along to pop hits of the 90s pandora is great, but sometimes you need to mix up, you know? Here are some songs you almost certainly won’t hear at THON (for reasons ranging from lack of popularity or singalong factor to being a bit over the FTK-appropriate line), but would make great additions in the playlist at the right times.

No chance they get played:

Touch the Sky – Kanye West (feat. Lupe Fiasco)Pertinent Lyric: “Let’s take ‘em back to the club, least about an hour I would stand on line, I just wanted to dance. I went to Jacob an hour after I got my advance, I just wanted to shine.”

The Weekend – Modern Baseball
Pertinent Lyric: “You got a smile that could light this town, and we might need it.” or “Most of my old friends I can only stand for the weekend, but that doesn’t apply here. Doesn’t apply, here.”

Fightboat – The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid to DiePertinent Lyric: “Old enough to be concerned about health but young enough to know that I am well. We can’t change this place the way it changes us. Our dream’s too big to break.”

The Grind Date – De La SoulPertinent Lyric: “But I’m far from bitter even farther from quittin, got a grind date to make, no time for sittin.”

Linoleum (NOFX Cover) – Streetlight ManifestoPertinent Lyric: “That’s me on the street with a violin under my chin, playing with a grin, singing gibberish.”

Ambling Alp – YeasayerPertinent Lyric: “Now the world can be an unfair place at times, but your lows will have their compliment of highs, and if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of or beat you; raise your head and wear your wounds with pride. You must stick up for yourself son, never mind what anybody else done.”

All My Friends – LCD Soundsystem (Note: Yes, they get two entries. Because they’re the best band ever.)
Pertinent Lyric: “And if it’s crowded, all the better, because we know we’re gonna be up late.” or “You forgot what you meant when you read what you said, and you always knew you were tired, but then where are your friends tonight? If I could see all my friends tonight.”

About Author

Noel Purcell is a senior business student masquerading as a writer. He writes, well, everything I guess, but sports and features and humor stuff mostly. He is the resident “make fun of this” guy. He lives in the Goathouse on South Atherton, but more accurately in the UPUA office and at the Phyrst. His Twitter is @NamelessRanger and it’s the best account on that site. His email is [email protected] because there were no other Noels before him. His ex-wife got the good half of his bio in the divorce settlement.